Improvement in adjustable skirt-formers



` are used in the manufacture' of ladiesskirts; .and-.I do hereby declare that the following is consists in so constructing vthe former that it the former, as at present constructed, the

UNrrn Sfra'rns .I if.; FFICEO JAMES Amos, or' New YORK, n. Y.

.Speeication forming part' of Letters Patent No. 43,380, dated July 5, 1864.

To all whom z'tdmoty concern.- 4 l13e itknown that l, JAMES Amos, of th city and State o'f `New York, haveinvented a new and usel'ul improvement in the form and construction of formera so called, such as a full, elear, and exact description thereof and of its operation, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, and making a part of this specification.. l

The nature of my improvement or invention isv adjustable in size, .so that 'upon the same former skirts of all the diierent sizes'required can be made.` Figure lis a4 representation ot' the former contracted suitable for makin-g thesmallest sized skirts. Fig. 2 shows the same former expanded for making larger skirts. As is wellknown to all familiar'withthe manufacture of skirts, the former is indispensable, not only lessening the cost ot' manufacture, but also `being absolutely necessaryvin giving the required shape to 'such article, so as to secure the desired elegance and gracefulness to the dress worn above it.;

In the manufacture ot' skirts by the use of manufacturer is compelled to have and use formers of as 'many different sizes as hemanufactures skirts-a particular former for every dii'erent sized skirt-from the skirt designed and litted for the little child to that req'uired for the full-grown person, and of all the numerous shapes and forms demanded by fashion. In all establishments for the inanuiacturc of skirtsa large number ot' foriners are necessarily required, while in the larger ones froinathousand to lit'teen hundred are continually being used Such formcrs, also, whenever-and as offenes the shape orstyle of the skirt is changed, and such changes are frequently taking place, have toV be altered or new ones made in place of them. This entails a large and often repeated expense upon the skirt-manufacturer, a very large proportion of which is rendered unnecessary by my invention or im jormer.- v Formers as heretofore constructed have b 'ee-nniade of any required sizeand shape, and

provemcnt in the construction ot' the the several parts are firmly fastenedl to each other, so that the formeralways continues to be of the same size and shape.

As constructed according vto my invention, the several parts of the 'former `are so connected together that they'can be movedlupon each other, and thus the saine former be enlargedor contracted in its size.

'lhe several parts of my adjustable former are the standard A, an upper and lower revolving plate or' frame, B and 0 a'waist-.block` Vor form, D, and the staves E E. The upper revolving plate or frame, B, rests upon the standard A and supports the waist-blockD'. This'blockl) is divided into four or more parts, a b c d, which move away from and toward each other on the radial arms or rods l 1 1 and on the guide-pieces 2 2.` The rods 11` are pierced at suitable distances; with holes,

as shown inthe drawings, to rece-ive pins or tasteningsj'fff, so as .to hold the movable parts a b, &c., in different positions on the radial rods 1 1..

To more steadily hold the several parts a b, dto., l prefer to place the rods 1 1 at or near the upper'side of such parts a b,` and have guide-pieces 2 2,-one for every part ofthe waist block, tixed tothe plate or fname B, and appropriate grooves made in such' pieces a b, Ste., to receive such'guide-pieces 2 2. The radial rods 1 l are supported by a central vertical support connecting with the plate Bl To the outer sides of the pieces u. b c d are connected to the staves E E, which are shaped according to the required shape of the skirt. Such staves are so `fastened to such pieces a b, Ste., either by a hinge loose pivot or the like, lthat their lower ends can be carried away from or toward the revolving frame C, for the Vpurpose of expanding orcontracting the diametcr of theskirt Suitable slots or recesses are cut in suoli pieces e D, Src., and in the upper plate or frame, B, as shown in the drawings, to receive such staves E E and allow of 'their motion iu such recesses.4 Toward the bottom. of the former is another horizontal plate or traine, C, which is supported by and revolves, upon the standard A., and with which the stares E E are connected, substantially as follows: From such staves extend inward hinged or elastic 'or bent arms g y y, which move backward and forward with in hollow cap pieces h h h, or in suitable' grooves onthe upper or under side of tlegplate C. Such arms g g g are pierced at suitable distances, in the sume manner as are the radial rods 1 l before described, with holes to receive pins or fastenings L 7c 7c to hold such 'arms in any desired.

position upon the plate C, and consequently the stares E E neuer to or farther from such plate. l

Fig. l shows the several parts of the waistblock in contact with' .each other, and the stuves E E contracted to their smallest dialneter or resting against the plate C; and Fig'. 2 represents the several parts of the block D expanded and the staves moved outward from the plate U, thus enlarging the size ofthe former. t

Gthermethods und devices than those above mentioned for expanding and contraetl or diminished in ing the several parts ofthe forn'ier and for securing them in any particular position may be made use of Without effecting the end to can be made. vbe secured.

It will be at once apparentthat the severa] parts of the waist-block may be of such a size that when brought together, as shown in the shortest worn.

'of itsseyeral parts,'-except expanding'an'd contracting them-'as described.

What l olaimas my invention, and desire to secure-by Letters Patent, is-

A former for use in the. manufacture of skirts, sovconstrult fd that it can be enlarged size, substantially on the principle set forth, so that by means o' and on the same former skirts of diierent sizes v JAMES AMOS. Witnesses:

S. D. LAW,

W. lt. RONALDE. 

